Nigeria military reacts to Amnesty Int'l video of Human Rights abuse by Nigerian soldiers | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Tuesday 5 August 2014

Nigeria military reacts to Amnesty Int'l video of Human Rights abuse by Nigerian soldiers

A few hours ago, Amnesty International released a gruesome video on its YouTube channel claiming Nigerian soldiers are involved in war crimes. Amnesty International wrote alongside the video;
Gruesome video footage gathered by Amnesty International provide fresh evidence of war crimes, including extrajudicial executions, and other serious human rights violations being carried out in northern Nigeria as the fight by the military against Boko Haram and other armed groups intensifies.
The footage, obtained from numerous sources during a recent trip to Borno state, reveals graphic evidence of multiple war crimes being carried out in Nigeria.
It includes horrific images of detainees having their throats slit one by one and dumped in mass graves by men who appear to be members of the Nigerian military and the “Civilian Joint Task Force” (CJTF), state-sponsored militias. It also shows the aftermath of a Boko Haram raid on a village in which the armed group killed nearly 100 people and destroyed or badly damaged scores of homes and other buildings.
The Nigerian military has reacted to the video via its Defence Information Director, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade. The military say they plan to investigate the video. Find the statement after the cut...

INVESTIGATING AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL VIDEO ALLEGATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE BY NIGERIAN MILITARY

Gentlemen of the Press,

Welcome to this press briefing which was compelled by the urgent need to clarify some developments arising from our counter-terrorism operations in the country.

The Nigerian military welcomes the interest being shown by international bodies and civil society groups on the observance of Human Rights in all aspects of ongoing counter terrorism campaign in Nigeria.  Despite the highly challenging and peculiar nature of the variables in the operations, the importance of accountability for all actions has remained paramount.  The Armed Forces of Nigeria is conscious of the nation’s obligation to observe all rules, regulations and commitments in all activities, and wishes to reassure the international community, bodies and citizens that it will not encourage or condone any form of violation.

It is expedient to particularly address the recent allegation of gross Human Rights abuses leveled against the military by the Amnesty International and those circulating video footage purportedly showing Nigerian military carrying out extra-judicial killing of suspected terrorists.

For the records, we must unequivocally state that the Nigerian military takes the issue of Human Rights seriously and will never condone any proven case of abuse by its personnel. Military authorities are deeply concerned about the set of video footage being circulated and which unfortunately has also become reference data for Amnesty International in its report. Much as the scenes depicted in these videos are alien to our operations and doctrines, it has to be investigated to ensure that such practices have not crept, surreptitiously into the system all to the detriment of expectations, in line with best practices to which the nation’s military has committed itself.

The Defence Headquarters considers these allegations too grievous to be associated with Nigerian troops, considering the doctrinal and operational contents of the training imparted to personnel on a continuous basis; emphasizing the importance of respect for Human Rights and dignity of human person as well as observance of humanitarian laws.  Rather, the scenes in that video clip clearly depict a pattern consistent with the atrocious operations of the terrorists.

Notwithstanding the cases of impersonations that have pervaded the counter terrorism operations in Nigeria and many other related issues which cast doubts on the claims made in the video, the Defence Headquarters views those grave allegations very seriously, more so as it borders on the integrity of the ongoing counter-terrorism operation, which must be sustained in the interest of our national survival.

Consequently, the Defence Headquarters in addition to the already existing Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has constituted a team of senior officers and legal cum forensic experts to study the video footage and the resultant allegations of infractions in order to ascertain the veracity of the claims with a view to identifying those behind such acts.  This will further determine and stimulate necessary legal action against any personnel or anyone found culpable in accordance with the provisions of the law.


You will recall that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was earlier constituted based on previous allegations of human rights abuse.  The JIT is still in place and have regularly conducted visits to detention facilities.  It is currently on tour of some of such facilities across the country.  The JIT has also regularly forwarded names of those suspects who are culpable to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution.  An additional list is currently being compiled to facilitate the decongestion of detention facilities.

These attempts at protecting the rights of detained terror suspects categorically point to the fact that as a professional institution with thorough-bred officers and men, the Nigerian military cannot be party to such degree of savagery, as portrayed in the video footage available to Amnesty International. The Nigerian military has over the years demonstrated a pedigree devoid of such acts in several operational theatres in and out of the country.  There is no reason why this should change at this stage of our national life.

Without mincing words, the Nigerian Armed Forces cannot condone any action or inaction that tramples on the right to life of any Nigerian. The ultimate objective of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operation is the complete cessation of the heinous and barbaric activities of the terrorists and to stamp out every vestige of terrorism in our country with the application of international best practices in such operations. It will, therefore, be absurd for the Nigerian Armed Forces as an institution to perpetrate such unprofessional acts in the manner and level depicted in that video as alleged by Amnesty International. Respect for the sanctity of life is  always boldly emphasized in our doctrinal trainings. Indeed, that level of barbarism and impunity has no place in the Nigerian military. It must thus be reiterated that the Nigerian military is a very well organized professional body of troops whose conducts in war and peace times are guided comprehensively by law.

We assure Nigerians and indeed the international community that the Nigerian Armed Forces recognizes the concern of Amnesty International as well as other similar bodies and therefore remains committed to the observance of the rules of engagement and human rights in its counter-terrorism operations.

CHRIS OLUKOLADE
Major General
5 August 2014                        
Director Defence Information

37 comments:

Ceeflo said...

The Nigerian military has come under a lot of criticism of recent, we only realise their dedication when we hear of their deaths... More grease to the Nigerian army

Unknown said...

And all they will do is cover up their atrocities with big meaningless English. God will judge

Julz Cakes said...

Whoever they are,wherever they are,they should be brought to book.

Anonymous said...

LIES. Soldiers do such things every day and everyone knows it, it's only because an international org like Amnesty caught them that there's even a statement.

"The Nigerian military is a very well organized professional body of troops whose conducts in war and peace times are guided comprehensively by law."

We look forward to the day when the above is true of ALL military officers. Amen.

Kimmy*****

Anonymous said...

Am outer words #bright bravo#

Anonymous said...

make dem kill all of dem.. dier mama. dem dey kill innocent citizens and military men why should dey allow dem to go Scott free.. in fact make dem dey butcher dem like cow. they did the same to an airforce officer weeks ago , so to me its eye for an eye. no shoot dem, dey butcher dem. arrant nonsense.

Anonymous said...

Those are Nigerian troops and they should stop denying the video. As far as I'm concerned, they're no better than BH and this is very shameful. That's why the US govt has refused to offer us real help against BH.

Jesus Boy said...

ok na, we are watching them...

Anonymous said...

Good they recognises. LIB Princess! Pretex4luv@yahoo.com

mystic Sun said...

I small a rat here... The sponsor of BH are on it, using the international Agency to blackmail the FG...GEJ watch it

Unknown said...

a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said...
.
Nigerian why nw...
.
.
***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

WD said...

This is not nigeria military bcos i watched same scene few weeks back with the men slaugtering not in uniform. Some one must have tot if they do this they will implicate the Nigerian army.
Nigerian army will not kill and be taking their phones out to record this. Let the network providers also be called into question, who was the first person to upload the first video and this one unto internet. In developed countries that how they apprehend evil doers not this one that the NCC chairman is doing nothing but eating big while the nation is in mess.
Finally this amnesty international is sponsored by Islamic agenda, trust me and trust me still. they do not investigate tins, they come up with junks just to sabbotage the effort of the govt and the army. Let them be watched by CIA and they have not reported our military men being killed day by day in this useless and unwarranted war.
Finally to every one that is so happy that this boko haram agenda is going as planned, tell me what is your joy and gain in all this mess, Simply bcos Jonathan is the president. God knows the innocent blood will not cease to hunt and hurt u and your generation for the rest of your lives (AMEN).
I pray this nation survive this evil. God bless Nigeria, God bless GEJ and God bless us all.


WD

lexxyyla said...

Dis cant b our nigerian army.......who on earth will have d guts to capture such video? Abi na CCTV?

Anonymous said...

Too much evil in this our country. My God. I don't like that kind of execution. If they are really boko haram and they we're condemned to die, they should find another way to kill them. I just don't like that cutting human neck like goat. Right now I don't think I want to see animals throat being cut. I'm sick to the stomach. Africans are wicked. This explains why God is purnish in our country. The crazy thing is, the guys quietly lie down to be slaughtered. Oh, I'm hurt by this video as much as I hate boko haram. Again boko haram started this sick shit. I personally condemn muslim religion. I don't like it. Infact it's not a religion. It's a cult. The religion is illegal as far as I'm concerned. All the mosque should be closed down. And there will be peace

lexxyyla said...

Dis cant b our nigerian army.......who on earth will have d guts to capture such video? Abi na CCTV?

Anonymous said...

Amnesty international planned this very well before they released this video. They started by what a typical Nigerian army is known for: beating of the suspects. Nigeria military could beat u and hit u when they are angry but not to line you up to slaughter and moreso record with their own phones.
I still want the NCC chairman sacked or retired if for ones he could not hand over the first person that uploaded the pix and video. The internet is a place the advanced countries are getting clue to some crime related issues facing them but here the NCC just collect money and do nothing.
Finally check all the tins that were not here b4 and get ur fact right for example, there is a network provider that is affiliated with islamic,and we never had this evil till they arrived here. Also the islamic organisation could be using it to fulfil their agenda(use ur sense Nigeria)


WD

ary said...

The truth is considering what the soldiers go through I wouldn't put it pass them to commit war crimes, it is not as if the Nigerian Army is renowned for its astuteness, but we should remember that they are humans and everyday they watch their friends and colleagues get cut down in a senseless war that has being left to drag on for far too long.

NIGERIA OYA said...

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wd said...

Let Nigerians declare a day or a week to fast and pray bcos the country has been turned into a mess by this boko boys.
Let all hands be on deck to fight this evil that has turned the heart of one against the other.
I served in the north and 80% are very friendly both muslims and xtians. i almost relocated to the north to av my wife an hausa girl but see what they(bokoboys) av turned it to

wd

Amarachukwu. said...

Short of words.

jbankzE said...

Too many wordz abegi,naija mata don tire me

~@iamJbankz Olamide's PA~

Anonymous said...

i hv to agree.. the nigerian military hav guns.. y wld they now decide to slit ur throat wen they cld hv shot u.. we all know tht the slitting of throats is synonymous with boko haram

Anonymous said...

The nigerian army are only sorry cause they got caught.

Anonymous said...

In america, the american population adore and pray for their soldiers, cause they fight for freedom, they don't attack their civilians, unlike nigeria, where the army assaults pregnant women, force road users off the road etc, anytime people see them (the army men) they curse them.

Olameedey2in1@yahoo.com said...

Tis lyk dey r trying 2 implicate deze pple o... buh God dey sha! Dunno which side 2 believe.

APPLE said...

Nigerian military can treat terrorists any how but they should stop bulling civilians period!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Na today? These r obviously Nigerian soldiers and these r war crimes. And it's not new either. The US Congressional hearing on Naija was told that Nigerian authorities had exacerbated the militancy situation by carrying out extra-judicial killings, against the advice of US Intelligence

Anonymous said...

Wickedness lies in the heart of everyman ,who would stomach seeing ones mother or father being slaughtered like a cow. I believe going there and seeing the truth is far better than judging from what we hear or see in our televisions....they are all lies,who controls the television? THE GOVERNMENT

Anonymous said...

I couldn't watch the whole thing as it was far too gruesome.We definitely need some kind of divine intervention. The whole nation has fallen into total anarchy while those in power continue to fleece & milk the treasury dry.
Terrible state of affairs indeed.

Anonymous said...

We'll,as your 1st lady said "DIARIZ GOD OOO"

Unknown said...

U re wrong?

Unknown said...

U re a big fool

Unknown said...

It's terrible sha
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Anonymous said...

Amnesty International are Just crying stupid. they are the sponsors of Boko Haram, if not why would they not stand up to condemn all the atrocities of BH, instead, they are supporting them. Nigeria is our Nation and we must defend it, No matter how. so AI, stay clear.

Unknown said...

let us leave our hero alone... amnesty international should come and fight the war ..foolish amnesty.. abeg military kill all of them

Anonymous said...

Good morning, please which site do I get the video

Anonymous said...

These are not the Nigerian army, please open your eye very well. These are Boko Haram guys. how can the military be killing in this manner yet recorded it on the phone and upload it to prove what point?
This is deliberate attempt to blackmail the Nigerian army. Recall they are also killing the soldiers and capturing them hence; have access to their uniforms e.t.c. The civilians in the video that are killing the captive are being trained (initiated) to be hardened and fearless.

Come to think of it, if you believe that these are the Nigerian army which I strongly disagree, what will the Amnesty international call the Boko Haram senseless killing of over 10,000 innocent Nigerian in the last five year? Human Right justice?

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